$
855,500 In Scholarships
During a special academic banquet held on May 7, the West Elk High School Class of 2025 was awarded approximately $855,500 in scholarships, with $70,500 being awarded through area scholarships.
The following is list of the scholarships the West Elk High School Class of 2025 received, as well as future plans as submitted by Debbie Zellner, West Elk High School Scholarship Writing Coordinator: Kylie Beougher: American Legion Auxiliary – Carter Rader Unit #0149; Daughters of the American Revolution -Esther Lowrey Chapter Essay Award; Howard Alumni Association; Severy High School Alumni Association; Washburn University – Freshman Blue and White Academic Merit and General University Freshman; West Elk High School Alumni Association; and James and Alberta Young Memorial. She plans to pursue a Radiology degree at Washburn University.
Mason Cookson: Tom Devlin Enterprises; Kansas Masonic Foundation Grand Lodge of Kansas Legacy; Minard Monical Memorial; Severy High School Alumni Association; James and Alberta Young Memorial. He plans to earn a certificate in Information Systems Technology from Washburn Institute of Technology.
Zoie Crupper: American Legion Auxiliary – Carter Rader Unit #0149; American Legion Oratorical: Local – 2024 & 2025 – 1st Place, District – 2025 & 2025 – 1st Place, State – 2025 – 3rd Place; 2025 – 4th Place; Daughters of American Revolution Esther Lowrey Chapter - Lena Fry Merritt; Elks Association Most Valuable Student – Kansas Top Female; Elk Community Foundation; Famie Garrison Memorial; R. E. French Family Educational Foundation; Howard State Bank; Hope Masonic Lodge No. 155: 2024 Essay Contest – 2nd Place, 2025 Essay Contest – 3rd Place; Kansas City Chapter – Association for Materials and Performance (AMPP); Kansas State Scholar; Jan and Dick McMillan; Dale E. Misak Memorial; National PEO Star; SAEOP/West Elk High School National Honor Society; Severy High School Alumni Association; Washburn University: Freshman Ichabod Academic Merit, General University, Honors Program, Leadership and Community Engagement Institutes Program – Aleshire Center; West Elk High School FFA; West Elk High School Place Productions; and West Elk High School Student Council. She plans to pursue a degree in Bio/Pre-Med, while attending Washburn University, with plans of becoming an OBGYN.
Clancy Cummings: American Legion – Carter Rader Post #0149; Bank of Commerce; F. E. Bliss Memorial; Isabella “Bella” Baumgartel Memorial; Beaumont Community Activities; Pat Brogan Memorial; Glenn and Joyce Coble Memorial; Caney Valley Electric Cooperative; Caney Valley Electric Cooperative – Leadership Camp; Elks Association Most Valuable Student – State Recognized; R. E. French Family Educational Foundation; Martin Family Memorial; McPherson College – Academic Merit; Piedmont United Methodist Church and Ladies; SAEOP/West Elk High School National Honor Society; Severy Community Activities; Severy High School Alumni Association; and James and Alberta Young Memorial. He plans to study Automotive Restoration at McPherson College.
Joantony Estrada plans to join the workforce.
Jaiden Forney plans to study Carpentry at North Central Kansas Technology College.
Marisa Ghramm: American Red Cross; Four County Mental Health Services; Home Bank and Trust; Howard High School Alumni Association; Kenneth Klepper Memorial; Labette Community College – Presidential Academic; Piedmont United Methodist Church and Ladies; Chapter R PEO; Don Richard Memorial; Severy High School Alumni Association; V. F. W. Post #2712; West Elk High School Alumni Association; and West Elk High School FFA. She plans to pursue a nursing degree at Labette Community College.
Trent Haag: American Legion – Carter Rader Post #0149; John C. Beitz Memorial; Caney Valley Electric Cooperative; Daughters of the American Revolution – Esther Lowrey Chapter Good Citizen Award; Tom Devlin Enterprises; Elk County Farm Bureau; R. E. French Family Educational Foundation; Steve Harper – State Winner; Kansas State University: College of Agriculture, and Limestone Academic Award; Purple Pack Catbackers; Severy High School Alumni Association; West Elk High School Alumni Association; West Elk High School FFA; and Wayne Willis Memorial. He plans to pursue a degree in Wildlife Management while attending Kansas State University.
Alexandrea Hurt: Cowley College- Pageant. She plans to pursue a Sonography degree while attending Cowley Community College.
Micah Kessinger: Cowley College - Graphic Design; Royal Neighbors of America - Grenola Chapter. She plans to pursue a Graphic Design degree while attending Cowley Community College.
Kase Kill: Richard Adams Memorial; American Legion – Carter Rader Post #0149; John C. Beitz Memorial; Caney Valley Electric Cooperative; Caney Valley Electric Cooperative – Leadership Camp; R. E. French Family Educational Foundation; Glenn and Joyce Coble Memorial; Hope Masonic Lodge No. 155 – 2025 Essay Contest – 1st Place; Pittsburg State University: Alumni Legacy, Engineering Technology Department, Great Gorilla Academic, and Honors College; SAEOP/West Elk High School National Honor Society; Severy High School Alumni Association; West Elk High School Alumni Association; West Elk High School Play Productions; West Elk High School Student Council; West Elk High School Yearbook; and West Elk Schools Booster Club. He plans to pursue a Construction Engineer Technology degree while attending Pittsburg State University.
C r e yo Koop : Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College, Athletic – Wrestling; Home Bank and Trust. He plans to pursue a degree in Agriculture Business while attending Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College.
Ashton Marshall plans to join the workforce.
Briea McGee: Grenola Community Club – Miss Grenola; and Royal Neighbors of America – Grenola Chapter. She plans to pursue a Communications degree while attending Wichita State University.
Cody Miller plans to earn a Carpentry certification while attending North Central Technical College.
Maddex Moreno: Pat Brogan Memorial; Scott McLean and Team Turner; Tim Perkins Memorial – Kansas State High School Activities Association Citizenship Award; and Washburn University – Freshman Top Hatt Academic Merit. He plans to pursue a degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at Washburn University.
Boedy Murphy plans to join the workforce.
Joshua Patteson plans to join the United States Marine Corps.
Andruw Rodriquez: Isabella “Bella” Baumgartel Memorial; R. E. French Family Educational Foundation; Kansas City Chapter – Association for Materials and Performance (AMPP); Kyle Nevil Memorial; SAEOP/West Elk High School National Honor Society; Severy Community Activities; Severy High School Alumni Association; Southwestern College – Pillars Academic; West Elk High School Play Productions; West Elk High School Student Council; West Elk High School Yearbook; and West Elk Schools Booster Club. He plans to pursue a Psychology degree while attending Southwestern University.
Scott Samples plans to join the United States Army.
Katherine Stewart: Bethany College: Athletic – Track and Field & Cross Country, Athletic Merit Academic Award, First Generation, and In-State; Kansas City Chapter – Association for Materials and Performance (AMPP); Kansas State Scholar; Minard Monical Memorial; Royal Neighbors of America – Grenola Chapter; SAEOP/ West Elk High School National Honor Society; and Severy High School Alumni Association. She plans to pursue an Engineering degree while attending Bethany College.
Jaicey Tillapaugh: Pratt Community College – Athletic – Volleyball. She plans to pursue a Pre-Nursing degree while attending Pratt Community College.
Neveah Tillapaugh: Pratt Community College – Athletic – Volleyball. She plans to study Cosmetology at Pratt Community College.
Josey Toon: Isabella “Bella” Baumgartel Memorial; Beaumont Community Activities; Minard Monical Memorial; Tabor College: Presidential Academic Freshman Merit, and Athletic – Softball; Tim Perkins Memorial – Kansas State High School Activities Association Citizenship Award; SAEOP/West Elk High School National Honor Society; Severy High School Alumni Association; Scott McLean and Team Turner; West Elk High School FFA; and West Elk High School Play Productions. She plans to pursue a Communications degree at Tabor University.
Larissa Van Derhagen: Pratt Community College: Athletic – Volleyball and Cheerleading. She plans to pursue a social worker degree while attending Pratt Community College.
Ashlynn Wade plans to join the workforce.
Bryleigh Wade: plans to pursue a Nursing degree while attending Butler Community College.
Trailyn Wiseman: Independence Community College – Cheerleading; Minard Monical Memorial; Severy Community Activities; Severy High School Alumni Association; West Elk Elementary Parents and Teachers; and West Elk FFA. She plans to pursue an Orthodontic Hygiene degree while attending Independence Community College.
William Wunderlich plans to join the workforce.
(Courtesy photo)
